Bean-picker.



No. miams. Patented Dec, 4, i900. G. F. CHIPPEN.

BEAN PICKER.'

(Application med sept. 25, 1899.)4

3 Sheets-Sheet (No Model.)

Patented Dec. 4, |900.

G. F. cmPPEN. BEAN PICKER.

(Application filed Sept. 25, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

Tus Nonms PETERS co., mom-urna.. wswmnron. n. c.

NrTED STATES f PATENT GEORGE F.` CRIPPEN, OF YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN;

BEAN-PICKER.

srncrrrcATIoN forming part of Letters" Patent No. 663,218, daten Deembef 4, 1906.

Application filed September 25, 1899. Serial No. 731,659. (No model.) l

T0 @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. CRIPPEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ypsilanti, in the county of Wrashtenaw and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bean-Pickers, of

which the following is a specification, refer` ence being had therein to the,accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to bean-pickers; and the invention consists in the peculiar construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, with particular reference to the following points: first, the means employed for feeding and distributing the beans to the assorting devices; second, the peculiar construction of said asserting devices; third, the peculiar arrangement of a plurality of asserting devices in relation to one of the distributing devices, whereby the beans are al-.

ternately fed to said assorting devices; fourth, the means for cleaning the rolls constituting the assorting devices; ifth, the peculiar construction of a reciprocating gate constituting an element of the distributing mechanism, and, sixth, the means employed for repicking the rejected beans.

The invention further consists in the peculiar construction and arrangement of parts, as more fully hereinafter described,and specifically set forth in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my bean-picker viewing the machine at one end. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the opposite end of the machine. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section through the machine. Fig. it is an enlarged sectional View of the assorting-rolls. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the gates. primary feeding devices of the beans.

tially on line no no, Fig. 3.

My bean-picker comprises, first, a hopper or receptacle in which the beans to be picked are placed, and, second, one or more assorting devices, each of which comprises two` rolls, one having a yielding surface and the other a hard nnyielding surface, said rolls being adapted to discriminate between the -for the rejected beans.

More in detail the construction is as follows: A is the hopper, which is supported upon asuitable framework and is preferably provided with two tapering chutes Al A2.

B represents feed-wheels mounted on rotary shafts B', extending longitudinally of the machine. Each feed-wheel is partially incased in a suitable housing a, secured to the bottom of the chutes A A2and having an aperturea,connectingwithsaidchutes. The feed-wheels are also provided with one or more pockets b, which in the rotation of-the wheel are adapted to be filled with beans entering the casing@ from the hopperA and to be subsequently -emptied in the rotation of the wheel. The feed-Wheels are spaced from each other upon the shaft B' and are provided with means for simultaneously and correspondingly adjusting the size of the pockets therein,comprising a series of heads c,sleeved upon the shaft B', each head being provided with a linger c', extending into the pocket o.

d is a rod or shaft extending parallel with the shaft B and carrying a series of disks c, each of which is adapted to engage with a groove c2 in each of the heads c. The shaft d is slidingly secured in suitable bearings f and is adapted to be reciprocated therein by a lever g, having a fork engaging with'one of the disks e.

The mechanism just described enables the operator at anyqtime to adjust the size of the pocket d by moving the lever g, which will cause the longitudinal movement of the shaft d and disks e thereon, and a corresponding movement of the heads c and fingers c', thereby enlarging or diminishing the size of the pockets.

Beneath the feed-wheels B on each of the shafts B is arranged a trough C, adapted to IOO receive the beans emptied from the pockets b and having a longitudinal slot in the bottom thereof.

D is a vibratory Wing arranged beneath the trough C, adapted in one position to direct the beans discharged through the slot in the trough to the right thereof and in its other position correspondingly direct them to the left.

E and E are asserting devices arranged at the right and left of the wing D beneath one set of feed-Wheels, and Eiand E3 are correspending asserting devices similarly arranged beneath the other set of feed-wheels. Each one of these asserting devices is of the fellowing construction: h is a roll having a yielding surface. This surface I preferably ferm by covering the core h of the roll with a layer h2 of elastic material, such as soft rub'- ber. Surrounding this layer is an outer detachable facing-sleeve h3, which is also preferably formed of rubber, but of a harder nature, better adapted for forming the surface of the roll. Beside the roll h is arranged a second roll t', this roll beingl preferably formed of metal or other hard substance. The roll i is provided with rthe longitudinal channel fi', extending the length of the roll. A portion of the remaining surface of the roll a: w is smooth, while another portion t3 is slightly rougliened, preferably by forming longitudi-` nal serrations. The rollt' is journaledin fixed bearings to the frame of the machine; but the roll h is preferably journaled in the ends of levers j, fulcrumed to the frame and provided at opposite ends with adjusting means, whereby the position et' the roll 71, relative to the roll t' may be adjusted. The adjusting means which I preferably use consists of threaded rods k, extending across each end of the machine and secured to the frame thereof, the ends of the leversj projecting inte proximity to these rods and being held in dierent positions of adjustment by clamping-nuts 7c' on the rod k, while the degree of adjustment is indicated by pointers 7a2, extending into proximity to scales 7c3, preferably secured to the rod la.

With the construction and arrangement of parts thus far described it will be readily understood that if motion be imparted to the rolls B, h, and t' from suitable driving mechanism the beans in the hopper A will be pe- .riodically discharged in measured quantities by the feed-Wheels B into the trough Cvand then by means of the wings D directed alternately to the asserting devices on the right and left of said Wings.

In order to control the discharge ofthe beans from the Wing D to the asserting devices, so that said beans will be arranged in a single row extending lengthwise of the rolls, I provide a gate F for each of the asserting devices, and which is constructed and arranged to operate as follows: The gate consists of a dat bar extending the entire length of the roll h and slidingly secured at its ends in suitable eer-Laisvb bearings, such as the vertically-slotted postsl. This bar in its normal position rests with its lower edge in close proximity to the surface of the roll h, so as to arrest the beans'discharged from the wing D. To facilitate the arrangement of the beans thus arrested in a single row, I provide means for oscillating the bar Flongitudinally, which in the drawings I have shown as consisting of a rock-shaft m, having rock-armsm thereon, connected by the links m2 with lugs Z on the bars F. Thus if the rocking movement be imparted to the shaft m the bar F Will be given a corresponding longitudinally-reciprocating movement. I also provide means for periodically lifting the gate F to discharge'the beans arrested thereby into the throat between the rolls h and t'. To accomplish this, I preferably arrange a lever n, fulcrumed to the frame of the machine and provided at one end with a fork engaging the post Z beneath the end of the bar F. This lever also pass-es in proximity te the roll i', and the latter is provided with a lug or cam n', which is adapted in the revolution of the roll to elevate the lever n, and thereby to raise the gate F, as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

To keep the surface of the rolls h and t perfectly clean, brushes are provided, as shown at G and H. The brush H is stationary and is mounted in position to bear against the roll t'. The brush G, however, is mounted upon a rock-shaft and is adapted to periodically rock from a position in contact with the roll E' inte contact with the roll E.

J, J, J2, and J3 are wings arranged beneath and in proximity, respectively, tothe rolls of the asserting devicesE, E', E2, and E3. These wings are for the purpose of directing the rej'ected beans discharged from each asserting device into one channel and the' goed beans discharged into ano-ther channel.

K is a vibratory screen or riddle onto which the beans are discharged from the wings J. This screen comprises a suitable framework suspended by the links K from the frame of the machine and is given an ocillatory Inovemeut by connections which will be hereinafter described.

o is an inclined diaphragm arranged across the top of this screen-frame, onto which the poor beans are discharged.

p is a diaphragm arranged beneath the diaphragm o for collecting the goed beans. These diaphragms are arranged to respectively direct the beans discharged thereon onto the perforated screens q and r, which are inclined in the opposite direction, the former connected with the discharge-spout s and the latter discharging into a hopper t of an auX- iliary asserting device E4. Beneath the screen 1" is an imperforate diaphragm u, adapted to catch the refuse passing through both of the screens and to discharge it into a suitable waste-receptacle c.

I shall new describe the construction and IOO IIO

arrangement of connecting mechanism by means of which the parts thus far described are driven and timed in relation to each other.

M is a main shaftjournaledin suitable bearings preferably iu the lower portion of the frame of the machine, and extending parallel to the rolls h and t'. Upon the shaft,at one end, are arranged sprocket-wheels connected by the sprocket-chains N and O with sprockets P P and P' P' on the shafts of the rolls hof the Various assorting devices. The arrangement of this sprocket-and-chain drive connection is such as t0 drive the adjacent rolls hin opposite directions, as indicated by arrows in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The sprocket-chain O also serves to drive the roll h of the auxiliary asserting device E4, as also indicated in Fig.2. At the opposite end of the shaft M is arranged a train of gearing Q, forming a drive connection between said shaft and a shaft R, extending across the machine. This shaft R carries at its opposite ends eccentrics R', which are connected by the rods or links R2 with the opposite ends of the screen-frame AK. At the same end of the machine at which the gearing Q is arranged is a sprocket-andchain connection between the shaft M and the sprocket-wheels S and S. These sprocketwheels are connected, respectively, by the chain S2 with the rolls '1l of one of the primary assorting devices E2 and of the auxiliary asserting device E4. On the same shaft with the sprocket-wheel S is arranged agear-Wheel T, which meshes with corresponding gearwheels T', T2, and T3 on the rolls t' of the other assorting devices.

T4 and T5 are gear-wheels on the shafts B' and which mesh, respectively, with the gearwheels T and T2.

U is a gear-wheel meshing 'with the gearwheel T4 and mounted on a shaft U', extending across the machine. At the opposite end of the shaft U' is arranged an eccentric U2, which is connected to a rock-arm m2 on the rock-shaft m.

V and V' are cranks arranged upon the shafts B' and at the opposite ends from the gearwheels T4 and T5. The crank V has a lost-motion connection with a rod V2, which at. its opposite end is connected to a rock-arm D' for operatingone of the vibrating wings D. This rock-arm is connected by a rod D2 with a corresponding rock-arm DS for operating the other vibratory wing D.

W and W are rockshafts extending through the chutes A' A2 of the hopper A and carrying arms or wings for stirring the beans in the hopper and preventing them from becoming clogged. These rock-shafts are provided with rock-arms W2, which are connected by the rod W2, having a connection W4 with the crank V'.

X represents cams arranged on the shafts of the rolls t', and X' represents rock-arms on the shafts of the wings J J' J2J2, respectively, (the one for the wing'J alone being shown and in dotted lilies in Fig. 3,) each of which arms has a projection X2, extending into proximity to the cam X, the arrangement being such that in the revolution of the cam X the arm will be rocked to throw the Wing from one to the other of its positions.

Y is an eccentric on the the shaft M, connected by the rods Y', Y2, and Y3 with rockarms for respectively actuating the rocking brushes G of the main and auxiliary assorting devices.

The parts being constructed as shown and described the complete operation of the machine is as follows: Motion being imparted to the shaft M it will communicate through the sprocket connections N and O to the rolls h of the various assorting devices, driving said rollsin the direction indicated by arrows. At the same time motion will be imparted to the shafts t' through the sprocket connection S2 and gear-wheels T T' T2 T3 and through the gear-wheels T4 and T5 to the shaft B'. From the latter an oscillatory movement will be imparted by the cranks V and V' thereon to the rock-shafts W W and rock-arms D and D2. Further motion will be imparted through the gear-wheel U, shaft U', and eccentric U2 to the rock-arm m3, rock-shaft m, and rock-arms m', and the latter will impart a reciprocating movement to the gates F through the link connections m2. It will thus be understood that the shafts B will be rotated, causing the feed-wheels B thereon to periodically discharge a measured quantity of beans from the hopper A into the trough C. From this trough the beans will drop upon the wing D, which in the position shown in Fig. 3 will direct said beans to the right against the gate F of the assorting device E. As before described, this gale F is given a longitudinal reciprocating movement through the shaft U', rock-shaft m, and rock-arm m', so that the beans arrested by said gate will be ca used to arrange themselves in a single row. At acer-tain point in the operation the gate F will be lifted by the operation of the cam n' and lever n, which will lift the opposite ends of the gate and allow the beans to be carried into the throat between the rolls hI and t'. When this occurs, the roll will be in a position where its surface i2 will contact with the beans in the throat, and as this snrface is perfectly smooth there will be but little frictional contact with the beans. Thus the good beans, which are smooth and hard, will remain in the throat between the rolls without being drawn between said rolls; but where the surface of the bean is very rough the friction of the roll therewith will be suflicient to cause it to be drawn in and discharged behind the wing J. This wing, in the position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, is so arranged as to direct the beans thus discharged onto the upper inclined diaphragm 0 of the screen-frame K, from which they will pass onto the lower perforated screen r. When in the movement of the roll i the roughened surface thereof comes in con- IOO IIO

tact with the beans, there will be a greater frictional engagement therewith, which will be sufcient to draw the beans between the rolls which were not affected by the smooth surface t2. However, if the surface of the bean is perfectly smooth and hard, as will be the case with a, good quality of bean, the friction will not be sufficient to draw it between the rolls. After the roughened surface has passed the throat the channel t" in the roll will receive such of the beans as have remained in the throat during the previous 0peration and will carry them through between the rolls. In the meantime the operation of the cam X will have caused the rock-arm X' to move the wing J into its opposite position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 3, where when the beans are discharged from the channel t" it will direct them through the passage w onto the lower inclined diaphragmp of the screenframe, from which they will be discharged onto the upper perforated screenv q.

During the operation just describedthe continued movement of the shaft B will cause the feed-wheels B to discharge another quantity of beans into the trough C; but before they are so discharged the movement of the crank V will have operated the rockarms D and D2, causing the former to move the wing D into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, where it will direct the discharged beans to the assorting device on the left of said wing. Here the operation will be repeated similarto the manner described in connection with the assorting device E, and this alternate operation of the two devices will continue as long as the machine is in operation.

The operation of the assorting devices E2 and E3, together with their feeding device on the shaft B at the left side of Fig. 3, will be precisely the same as that alreadydescribed; but in Fig. 3 I have shown a slightly different position of parts at the left-hand side of the figure in order to illustrate the various operations of the devices. Thus, in connection with the assorting devices E2, the gate F is shown as raised and the roll 'L' in the initial position of `-its travel; also, the wheel B is shown in a position where it is just beginning to discharge the beans collected in one of the pockets b. The good beans, which are discharged from the assorting devices E E2 E2, are discharged by the wings J', J2, and J 3, respectively, into the hoppers y, extending completely across the screen K and at their lower ends passing through the diaphragm 0, so as to discharge the beans collected therein onto the lower diaphragm b. At the same time these hoppers allow sufficient room on the diaphragm o between their lower ends to permit the beans discharged on the upper end of lthe diaphragm o to pass between said hoppers and to be discharged onto the lower screen r. From the perforated screen q the good beans thereon will be discharged into the spout S into asuitable eeaeis receiving receptacle. The beans on the screen fr, however, are subject to a secondary assorting action by being discharged into the hopper t of the auxiliary assorting device E4, which latter operates in a similar manner to those already referred to.

In order to secure a close separation, the vibratory wings D and J, J', J2, and J3 must be provided with operating mechanism which is adapted to impart a quick movement to said wings at the time of reversal. This is accomplished in the case of the wings D by the lost-motion connection between the crank V and the rock-arms D', which, as shown in Fig. 2,l consists of a sleeve x, to which the crank-pin is connected, slidingly secured upon the rod V2, and the latter is provided with stops Qc" and x2, against which the sleeve 0c is adapted to impinge when the crank V is in opposite positions. The'movement of the wings J, J', J2, and J2 is eiected by forming the cams X of the proper shape to impart a quick movement to the rock-arms X', while the springs X3 serve to eifect the opposite movement of said rock-arms.

As before stated, the brushes are rocked by the rods Y', Y2, and YS, to be alternately' in contact with the rolls h of adjacent assorting devices. This movement of the brush not only dispenses with the necessity of having two brushes for the two rolls, but also eects a better cleaning of the roll in being drawn across the surface of the same than if said roll were in contact with a stationary brush.

My machine may be readily adjusted to suit the requirement of different qualities of beans, first, by adjusting the quantity of beans fed, and this may be done by an adjustment of the lever g,which will simultaneously and correspondingly move all of the sliding heads c and the ngers c thereon, causing the pockets b in the feed-wheels to be correspondingly enlarged or diminished. A further adjustment may be effected by increasing or diminishing the distance between the rolls h and t', and this is readily accomplished by adjusting the nuts k3 on the screw-threaded rod lo, so as to change thel positions of the lever j, and thereby to move the rolls h. As all of these leversj extend into proximity to the same rod lo, and as each is provided with a scale and index, a very accurate adjustment may be obtained.

It will be observed that the feed-wheels B have their pockets filled with beans in the upward portion of their rotary movement and are discharged after passing over the highest point. They thus constitute what I shall term overshot wheels, and have the advantage of operating with less danger of choking than if rotated in the opposite direction What I claim as my invention is l. In a bean-picker, an assorting device comprising a pair of adjacent discriminating rolls one having a hardand the other a yielding surface said hard surface consisting of a IOO IIO

IZO

a pair of adjacent discriminatingrolls having a receivingthroat formed between and means for feeding the beans to said rolls of a longitudinal reciprocating gate for arresting and alining said fed beans, and means for periodically lifting said gate to feed said alined beans into said throat.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in Vpresence of two witnesses.

GEORGE F. CRIPPEN.

V Witnesses:

JAMEs WHITTEMORE, H. C. SMITH. 

